I am Sick-ty Five!

It started in the afternoon of Oct. 22nd. Two days before I turned 65. An innocent affair with a Coffee Almond Ice Cream led into some turbulent moments that continued for almost two days. The revolt against my internal constitution and the nagging protests from my digestive system made me a participant in the occupy the bathroom movement. Repeatedly.


The whole day Sunday I was so weak and dehydrated that I had to miss church. Bereft of spiritual strength I felt even weaker. My wife, Cynthia, stayed by my side, doing everything to nurse me back to health.


Noontime and I wished I could have fully enjoyed lunch with Cynthia's family. It was just that I was still feeling weak and a tad queasy that no matter how delicious the food my wife prepared, I could only partake so little of it.


When the day of my birthday dawned I was still feeling a bit woozy. Thankfully my appointments with the john have returned to a more or less normal routine. 


Lunch at Tokyo Cafe at Megamall was still handled with extreme caution. After that I waited in silent meditation while Cynthia met with her co-ADB retirees to plan for an upcoming reunion.


As the day came to a close I reflected on what transpired the past days. No matter how much you prepare yourself for something that you expect to be a happy event, life will still throw a curve ball at you. But when you turn into a ripe old age such as 65, you realize that there will always be surprises, some pleasant and some not so. 


Without all the fanfare and the hoopla expected from celebrating a milestone birthday, I still feel blessed. And very happy from all the greetings that I have received via text messages, phone calls and Facebook postings.


Thanks everyone for your well wishes. Dear family and friends, I love you all!

When I'm 64

I don't know why I delayed writing a blog about my birthday. Perhaps it's because I am still basking in the joy of celebrating my 64th year on this earth. It all started with a bang. Two days before my actual birthdate, a group of my high school classmates gathered at the Cabalen restaurant located at the SM Megamall. Despite it being a Friday, and a rainy day at that, sixteen of them showed up to join me in celebrating my special day. I was so touched because some of them came from as far away as Sta. Cruz, Laguna and Malolos, Bulacan. We had a great time recollecting and reconnecting as we enjoyed the sumptuous buffet. As if that wasn't enough, Bert Calaquian then treated us to some coffee at the nearby Coffee Bean. My classmates giggled and snickered when they saw the t-shirt I was wearing. I got the idea from the Beatles' song and thought it was quite appropriate to wear on my birthday. The cost of making this t-shirt was shouldered by my step-daughter, Jenn, as her birthday gift to me.


The following day, Saturday the 23rd, Cynthia and I were in Calatagan, Batangas, where we stayed overnight at a resort called Golden Sunset (quite fitting, don't you think?). This time our stay was a gift from another step-daughter, Darrel, and her husband, Rev. Although birding here was a little disappointing, we had a good time nevertheless.


All day Sunday, I got text messages and facebook postings from family and friends greeting me on my birthday and sending me good wishes. All of which made me very, very glad. I'm not big on birthday celebrations but when I receive all these warm greetings and love from those who are close to me, I felt younger. Did I mention I just turned 64?